How to Prepare Your Home Before Going on Holiday
A little prep goes a long way. Here's what to sort before you head off.
Heading off on a well-deserved holiday? A few simple steps before you leave can save you a lot of worry and make coming home feel far more pleasant. Here’s how to get your home properly sorted before you go.
At a glance
- Lock all doors, windows, and entry points, and set up light timers
- Unplug unnecessary appliances and adjust heating or cooling settings
- Pause post and deliveries, or ask a neighbour to collect them
- Ask someone to keep an eye on the place while you’re away
1. Securing your home
A secure home is one you don’t need to think about while you’re sitting by the pool. Start by checking every door, window, and entry point is properly locked. Don’t forget less obvious spots like side gates, back doors, and loft access points. Upgrading to deadbolts if you haven’t already is worth considering.
Light timers are one of the most effective deterrents. Set them to turn lights on and off at realistic times to give the impression someone’s home. Add a motion-sensor light near entrances for extra reassurance. If you have a security alarm, activate it before you leave and give a spare key and the alarm code to someone you trust.
- Test your alarm and replace batteries if needed before you go
- Lock the garage and shed to secure tools and equipment inside
- Move expensive items like bikes and electronics out of sight
2. Managing utilities and appliances
Appliances left plugged in unnecessarily waste energy and can be fire hazards. Before you leave, unplug kettles, toasters, televisions, and chargers. Keep the fridge and freezer running, but make sure they’re not overfull.
Adjust your heating or cooling to suit the season. In winter, keep the temperature just high enough to stop pipes from freezing, around 13°C is usually sufficient. In warmer months, raise the thermostat to save energy while keeping the air circulating.
- Turn off water valves for washing machines and dishwashers to prevent leaks
- Switch your water heater to holiday mode if it has that option
- Check smoke detector batteries and replace any that are running low
3. Handling post and deliveries
A pile of post building up on the doormat is one of the most obvious signs that a property is empty. Pause your mail service before you leave, or ask a neighbour to collect it regularly. For any parcels you’re expecting, either schedule delivery before you go or redirect them to a safe address.
Let any regular services know you’ll be away too. Landscapers, cleaners, or meal kit deliveries that continue while you’re gone can be a giveaway, or simply an inconvenience to deal with when you’re back.
- Update your address with any services that deliver automatically
- Leave your contact details with a trusted neighbour in case of emergencies
4. Preparing your home, plants, and pets
Plants
Water indoor plants thoroughly just before you leave. For anything that needs more regular attention, self-watering systems or water-retaining spikes are a good investment. For outdoor plants, a hose timer or a helpful neighbour works well.
Pets
Book a trusted sitter or boarding service well in advance, and leave clear written instructions covering feeding times, medications, and the vet’s contact details. If a neighbour is helping out, make sure they’re comfortable with the routine before you go.
- Empty bins before you leave to prevent bad smells or pests building up
- Clean out litter trays or pet cages
- Secure any loose garden items that could shift in bad weather while you’re away
5. Giving your home a ‘lived-in’ look
An empty-looking home is an attractive target. Beyond light timers, ask someone to visit occasionally to open curtains, move bins on collection day, and occasionally park in the driveway. Small details like these make a real difference.
If you use social media, hold off on posting holiday updates in real time. Save the photos for when you’re back rather than advertising that your home is currently unoccupied.
- Let trusted neighbours know your travel dates so they can keep an eye out
- Arrange for lawn or garden maintenance if you’ll be away for a while
- Store valuables in a safe or move them somewhere more secure before you go
What about Lemonade home insurance?
Even with thorough preparation, unexpected things can happen. A break-in, an accidental leak, or storm damage doesn’t wait for you to get home. Having the right home insurance in place means you’re protected while you’re away and can deal with any problems calmly when you return.
Lemonade’s home insurance is built to be straightforward. Getting covered takes minutes and is done entirely online, so it’s one less thing to sort before your trip.
Before we go
A bit of preparation before you leave is all it takes to genuinely switch off while you’re away. Lock up properly, sort the appliances, manage your post, and make sure someone’s keeping an eye on the place. Do those things and you can focus on enjoying your holiday rather than worrying about what’s happening at home. And with the right insurance in place, you’re covered if anything does go wrong.
Prepping your home for a holiday FAQs
What should I unplug before going on holiday?
Anything that doesn’t need to stay on. Kettles, toasters, televisions, gaming consoles, phone chargers, and small kitchen appliances are all worth unplugging. They draw standby power even when not in use, and in some cases can be a fire risk if left unattended for extended periods.
Keep the fridge and freezer running, and leave any smart home devices or security systems active. If your broadband router needs to stay on for connected security devices, leave that running too.
How can I make my house look occupied?
Light timers are the most effective tool. Set them to switch lights on and off at times that reflect normal activity, rather than on a predictable pattern. Ask a neighbour to collect post, open and close curtains occasionally, and move the bins on collection day. Avoiding real-time holiday updates on social media also helps. The goal is to make it look like someone could be home at any point.
Should I turn off my water supply?
For longer trips, turning off the water at the stopcock is worth considering. It significantly reduces the risk of a leak or burst pipe causing damage while you’re away. If you’re only going for a few days, turning off the valves on individual appliances like washing machines and dishwashers is a sensible middle ground.
In winter, keep the heating ticking over at a low temperature to prevent pipes from freezing, as a burst pipe in an empty house can cause serious damage before anyone notices.
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